There was a mental sigh of relief when Therese began driving towards home. Good woman, he would hate to push the limits of his current disguise in other places and he didn't bring any extra clothes or accessories to change it up should she move to a more upscale location.
Easing into a parking spot, he quickly made his way to his rooms. He began pulling off the disguise: took off the hat and the mustache, combed his hair, took out the contacts, took off the plaid shirt and pulled on a white cable knit cashmere sweater over the undershirt he wore. Vaughn decided to leave the glasses off; he didn't need them and it was obvious he had been home long enough to change.
Looking at his newly familiar appearance in the mirror, he found himself a bit nervous. Trying to squash the ridiculous apprehension over how he looked, Vaughn combed his fingers through his hair one more time. He wished it was longer. Bah, Enough!
He knew which room was her's because he'd looked on the security list to see which one she had claimed. It wasn't necessary to go that far; Therese was sitting comfortably with a laptop in the common room. Not wanting to startle her, he stopped once he was a few feet away and spoke.
"Good Evening, Therese. How was work?"
Home Again, Home Again...
A name, it was a start. It undoubtedly wouldn't satisfy her keeper but it was a start. It wasn't much to go on either, perhaps she should have stuck around longer. There might have been more information to be had. But she had played a risky card. Soon enough some one would figure out that she had sent the drink and that would lead to uncomfortable questions. Questions she couldn't answer.
Arriving home, it was funny how quickly she'd come to think of the asylum as home, Thérèse changed. She had gone to the pool hall straight from work. More comfortable she considered her options, the next step. Well the internet was a grand tool and with the virus of social networking spreading everyday she could start there.
Having no real stomach for this task, she felt confined by and isolated in her room and opted to take her laptop to one of the more open common areas. Although, she didn't put any shoes on, home meant one could go around bare foot, or in her case, in a pair of warm wool socks. They had been a gift, a joke, from one of her brothers, the socks were pattered with Monte's Water lilies. As they didn't fit her usual style he hadn't thought she'd wear them, but Thérèse did, on occasion. They made her smile. She just didn't wear them out in public.
Settling down with the computer she opted to start with Google before fidgeting with one of the social sights or going to one of her more reliable resources. She had to make an effort. She didn't have to make a good effort. The vampire would never know. She hoped.
Vaughn Emiliano
13 years ago
Therese
13 years ago
That was interesting. She had found some information on Google. It had taken a few tries to settle on the spelling of Benally, it wasn't a common moniker after all, but there was information. It was all a few years old and oddly enough was sports related. College Baseball. Apparently he'd shown quite a lot of promise as something called a short stop. However, as she couldn't find anything else Thérèse could only assume he had decided to pursue another avenue.
Shoving the sleeves of her slightly oversized sweater up past her elbows she flipped to a data base program and started adding information. She did hear some one coming but didn't initially look up. It wasn't an attempt to be unsocial; she simply didn't want to explain what she was doing. Vaughn's voice, however, did make her look up.
She couldn't deny she wanted to see him. But she also knew that she was treading on thin ice as well, of course, so far the ice had held. Perhaps it would a little longer and, after all, it wasn't as if she were seeking him out improperly. Feeling a bit justified she smiled brightly up at him.
"Bon soir. Eh... it was a long day. Apparently the season of giving is over but we still found enough in the budget to bring a collection to town by the end of the year.�
They had all but gotten the ink on the contracts for a number of Seurat works. The Chicago Art Institute had taken quite a bit of persuading and a bit of an equal exchange so Thérèse was feeling quite proud of herself and her staff for finally closing the deal
"And you? I hope you were not locked up in doors too long.�
Shoving the sleeves of her slightly oversized sweater up past her elbows she flipped to a data base program and started adding information. She did hear some one coming but didn't initially look up. It wasn't an attempt to be unsocial; she simply didn't want to explain what she was doing. Vaughn's voice, however, did make her look up.
She couldn't deny she wanted to see him. But she also knew that she was treading on thin ice as well, of course, so far the ice had held. Perhaps it would a little longer and, after all, it wasn't as if she were seeking him out improperly. Feeling a bit justified she smiled brightly up at him.
"Bon soir. Eh... it was a long day. Apparently the season of giving is over but we still found enough in the budget to bring a collection to town by the end of the year.�
They had all but gotten the ink on the contracts for a number of Seurat works. The Chicago Art Institute had taken quite a bit of persuading and a bit of an equal exchange so Thérèse was feeling quite proud of herself and her staff for finally closing the deal
"And you? I hope you were not locked up in doors too long.�
Vaughn Emiliano
13 years ago
Normally he might not be so forward but Vaughn was curious about what she was working on. If it had something to do with why she was following Tavi's date around then he would like to know it. He smiled at her and then came and sat down next to her on the sofa.
"It is good to hear that you've managed to procure something to show in the lean months. People tend to find they've over given during Christmas and become quite tight fisted." He had good reason to know; relying on the generosity of public donations taught you a lot about those kinds of things.
Answering her other question, Vaughn sighed. "I got out earlier than usual today. I just wish it wasn't dark so early." He felt like he went to work in the dark, stayed chained to an agenda all day and then came back home in the dark. Vaughn was starting to feel like one of the mulo himself.
He cast a glance at what she was researching, it was some browser search on a baseball player. A couple of pictures were at the top; it was definitely the same guy. Not wanting to appear too interested, Vaughn leaned back and tilted his head up towards the ceiling. He stretched his legs out and clasped his hands together on his chest.
"Its good to be home."
Tilting his head back towards her, he smiled.
"I couldn't help but notice the interesting footwear. You take your work home with you, I see."
"It is good to hear that you've managed to procure something to show in the lean months. People tend to find they've over given during Christmas and become quite tight fisted." He had good reason to know; relying on the generosity of public donations taught you a lot about those kinds of things.
Answering her other question, Vaughn sighed. "I got out earlier than usual today. I just wish it wasn't dark so early." He felt like he went to work in the dark, stayed chained to an agenda all day and then came back home in the dark. Vaughn was starting to feel like one of the mulo himself.
He cast a glance at what she was researching, it was some browser search on a baseball player. A couple of pictures were at the top; it was definitely the same guy. Not wanting to appear too interested, Vaughn leaned back and tilted his head up towards the ceiling. He stretched his legs out and clasped his hands together on his chest.
"Its good to be home."
Tilting his head back towards her, he smiled.
"I couldn't help but notice the interesting footwear. You take your work home with you, I see."
Therese
13 years ago
She was encouraged he sat down with her. She shouldn't be, Thérèse chided herself, it didn't mean anything after all and she was too old to allow an attraction to cloud her judgment. As he sat her nose twitched catching a faint whiff of cigarette smoke. Of course it could be from any where but it put her in mind of the pool hall. The hall hadn't been very smoky but it wasn't smoke free. It was probably from her hair. Wonderful. She should have washed it. Well she would later tonight and hope it didn't bother him now.
Without thinking about it, or meaning too she laughed lightly at his wish and playfully countered.
"Ah yes but in the summer the nights are too short. There is not enough time to run and hunt.�
She was a little surprised at her own words, no matter how true they were. It just wasn't that she'd planed on engaging him in such a way. Mentally shrugging it off she saved her work and closed the laptop. No doubt -he- wouldn't appreciate her leaking information. So she had to do so subtly.
Slightly embarrassed Thérèse stretched out her legs and wiggled her toes.
"Some days. These... were a gift from my brother.� She added quickly lest he misunderstand. "They are warm and rather pretty but he ... they were a gag gift. They do not match anything.�
She finished with a slightly sheepish smile.
Without thinking about it, or meaning too she laughed lightly at his wish and playfully countered.
"Ah yes but in the summer the nights are too short. There is not enough time to run and hunt.�
She was a little surprised at her own words, no matter how true they were. It just wasn't that she'd planed on engaging him in such a way. Mentally shrugging it off she saved her work and closed the laptop. No doubt -he- wouldn't appreciate her leaking information. So she had to do so subtly.
Slightly embarrassed Thérèse stretched out her legs and wiggled her toes.
"Some days. These... were a gift from my brother.� She added quickly lest he misunderstand. "They are warm and rather pretty but he ... they were a gag gift. They do not match anything.�
She finished with a slightly sheepish smile.
Vaughn Emiliano
13 years ago
Vaughn groaned softly with the news that the nights would be shorter and what it would mean for his runs. He gave her a pitiful look and a heavy sigh.
"I can't win. The solution must be to quit my job and set aside all responsibilities. I shall become a wandering forest bum."
Turning his attention back to her socks, Vaughn chuckled as replied. "Well, at least they look warm."
It appeared that Therese had a loving family. They thought of each other, buying presents and sharing jokes. He missed that and somehow had managed not to confer such good memories and strong bonds upon his children. How had that happened? He had been made Sarkis, given a clan to run and a dream to fulfill. It was important, for him, for his children and for the pack. But was it more urgent than spending time with them, knowing who they were?
"Tavi would probably find a way to make them match...something. However you might not think the rest of the outfit made sense."
"I can't win. The solution must be to quit my job and set aside all responsibilities. I shall become a wandering forest bum."
Turning his attention back to her socks, Vaughn chuckled as replied. "Well, at least they look warm."
It appeared that Therese had a loving family. They thought of each other, buying presents and sharing jokes. He missed that and somehow had managed not to confer such good memories and strong bonds upon his children. How had that happened? He had been made Sarkis, given a clan to run and a dream to fulfill. It was important, for him, for his children and for the pack. But was it more urgent than spending time with them, knowing who they were?
"Tavi would probably find a way to make them match...something. However you might not think the rest of the outfit made sense."
Therese
13 years ago
Without thinking about, or even meaning too she chuckled softly at his dejected expression and his rather radical solution. Honestly she didn't mean to flirt, she simply found him appealing, even or perhaps especially this gentle humor.
"It is an appealing solution, even if it does nothing to manage the length of the nights.�
When his attention did not turn from her water lily socks Thérèse only shook her head. As odd as it was she might wind up thanking her brother for them after all.
"Quiet warm. I have never liked having cold toes.�
Odd but true. Thérèse didn't mind the cold much with the exception of her fingers and toes. Gloves and socks were the order of the day and they were some of the first things she'd purchased when the temperature started dropping.
"Fashion is an art all its own. And not every talented artist is understood in their own time.�
Tavi was an interesting young woman. Thérèse had enjoyed her company. But in truth she was more perplexed by this sudden interest in her footwear and fashion. They didn't seem to be topics Vaughn often pursued.
Not that she was looking a gift horse in the mouth she just wondered what the purpose of the conversation was.
"It is an appealing solution, even if it does nothing to manage the length of the nights.�
When his attention did not turn from her water lily socks Thérèse only shook her head. As odd as it was she might wind up thanking her brother for them after all.
"Quiet warm. I have never liked having cold toes.�
Odd but true. Thérèse didn't mind the cold much with the exception of her fingers and toes. Gloves and socks were the order of the day and they were some of the first things she'd purchased when the temperature started dropping.
"Fashion is an art all its own. And not every talented artist is understood in their own time.�
Tavi was an interesting young woman. Thérèse had enjoyed her company. But in truth she was more perplexed by this sudden interest in her footwear and fashion. They didn't seem to be topics Vaughn often pursued.
Not that she was looking a gift horse in the mouth she just wondered what the purpose of the conversation was.
Vaughn Emiliano
13 years ago
"No, it does not change nature. Instead I would be adapting my schedule to suit my enjoyment of the outdoors. Sadly, I also enjoy eating and the things money can purchase so I suppose my carefree life will just have to wait a while longer."
Vaughn smiled at her rather open minded attitude towards fashion. He supposed it was true, and Tavi certainly expressed herself through her choice of hairstyle and apparel.
"Indeed, the value of something is rarely accurately measured by how much approval it gets."
They had run out of things to talk about. He really had no reason to sit down and speak to her, at least none that he could voice. It would not be appropriate to say that he was interested in what she was working on nor that he simply enjoyed her company.
"I'm sorry. I am disturbing you again, most likely. I just wanted to say hello and see how you were doing."
Because the last time they met she had not been doing well at all. The bruises were gone, of course. He could not see any new ones, perhaps it had been an accident as she said. Vaughn was not ready to simply accept that; he needed to know for certain.
Vaughn smiled at her rather open minded attitude towards fashion. He supposed it was true, and Tavi certainly expressed herself through her choice of hairstyle and apparel.
"Indeed, the value of something is rarely accurately measured by how much approval it gets."
They had run out of things to talk about. He really had no reason to sit down and speak to her, at least none that he could voice. It would not be appropriate to say that he was interested in what she was working on nor that he simply enjoyed her company.
"I'm sorry. I am disturbing you again, most likely. I just wanted to say hello and see how you were doing."
Because the last time they met she had not been doing well at all. The bruises were gone, of course. He could not see any new ones, perhaps it had been an accident as she said. Vaughn was not ready to simply accept that; he needed to know for certain.
Therese
13 years ago
"Ah practicality. It has spoiled so many dreams.�
Thérèse shook her head sadly, and with a bit of irony fully aware of her own practical nature.
She enjoyed his smile it was quite endearing. She'd like to to see more of it. For now, though, she could only cast her mind around for a reason for him to stay. She was attempting to stay polite and proper, although, it wasn't her first choice.
"Non, of course not. If I hadn't wanted to be social I should be hiding somewhere.�
She had been hoping for a distraction of some sort, some one to talk to. Possibly to hint at what she was doing. Vaughn was a very happy encounter. If only she could managed to tell him his daughter was out with a Kadzait. Hmmmm, perhaps she should try and drop that hint to Tavi herself. She must not know.
Instead of any of that though she half smiled and gave a tiny shrug.
"Well enough, merci. I have not run into any more pallets.�
She offered the small bit of humor at her own expense hoping to coax another smile from him.
"And you any more... meetings? I should have thought this would have been just the time for.. ... them.�
The connection was vague enough that her compulsions would allow her to do it. It was rather desperate but Thérèse hoped to draw a link between her bruises the last time they spoke and the mulo.
Thérèse shook her head sadly, and with a bit of irony fully aware of her own practical nature.
She enjoyed his smile it was quite endearing. She'd like to to see more of it. For now, though, she could only cast her mind around for a reason for him to stay. She was attempting to stay polite and proper, although, it wasn't her first choice.
"Non, of course not. If I hadn't wanted to be social I should be hiding somewhere.�
She had been hoping for a distraction of some sort, some one to talk to. Possibly to hint at what she was doing. Vaughn was a very happy encounter. If only she could managed to tell him his daughter was out with a Kadzait. Hmmmm, perhaps she should try and drop that hint to Tavi herself. She must not know.
Instead of any of that though she half smiled and gave a tiny shrug.
"Well enough, merci. I have not run into any more pallets.�
She offered the small bit of humor at her own expense hoping to coax another smile from him.
"And you any more... meetings? I should have thought this would have been just the time for.. ... them.�
The connection was vague enough that her compulsions would allow her to do it. It was rather desperate but Thérèse hoped to draw a link between her bruises the last time they spoke and the mulo.
Vaughn Emiliano
13 years ago
Therese was very polite, as always, but he suspected that there was truth to her statement. She would be in her room or somewhere else private if she had not wanted to be disturbed. Considering she appeared to be almost stalking someone that seemed a bit odd. Wouldn't you poke around someone's facebook or whatever else you could find when you were sure there was no one looking to wonder at your interest? Still, no doubt she didn't expect someone to be rude enough to be nosy. He would consider all the possible meanings of her choices later when he was alone and had time to linger over them.
The talk turned towards her well being and she said that she was fine. It bore out the physical evidence but Therese once again turned the conversation away from herself.
"I see the little wolf is doing his job then. I hope he remains vigilante."
Vaughn sat up and turned towards her when she spoke of the vampires. Therese seemed less than pleased with the idea of the meeting but her voice remained neutral. He'd swear with the pauses that it was almost like she didn't want to bring the vampires up but felt compelled to. Something seemed odd about that but maybe he was just paranoid now and seeing subtext where there was none.
"Actually he did call and requested a meeting, if I was willing. We are to meet at a club downtown where they have some rooms so where we can speak in private. I could tell him that we're available to speak with him tonight. If you're free to come with me."
Taking her hand, Vaughn watched her carefully.
"Please, don't feel obligated. If you are uncomfortable with the idea then I can go alone or get one of the Legion to join me."
The talk turned towards her well being and she said that she was fine. It bore out the physical evidence but Therese once again turned the conversation away from herself.
"I see the little wolf is doing his job then. I hope he remains vigilante."
Vaughn sat up and turned towards her when she spoke of the vampires. Therese seemed less than pleased with the idea of the meeting but her voice remained neutral. He'd swear with the pauses that it was almost like she didn't want to bring the vampires up but felt compelled to. Something seemed odd about that but maybe he was just paranoid now and seeing subtext where there was none.
"Actually he did call and requested a meeting, if I was willing. We are to meet at a club downtown where they have some rooms so where we can speak in private. I could tell him that we're available to speak with him tonight. If you're free to come with me."
Taking her hand, Vaughn watched her carefully.
"Please, don't feel obligated. If you are uncomfortable with the idea then I can go alone or get one of the Legion to join me."
Therese
13 years ago
"I'm sure he will be nothing less.�
Thérèse was fond of the little wolf and kept it on her desk, near by.
Tonight? Her eyebrows shot up. That she was not expecting. She rather wanted to get up and pace, to consider this, but that would not be appropriate. Truly, she did not -want- anything to do with them. One was more than enough. But by the same token, she needed to look this one in the eye. She needed to know he wasn't the one who was keeping her.
"Yes, yes I am free. I would like to come.�
Like was not the right word. She did not -like- anything about the mulo. But she still was pleased he asked. She shook her head.
"Non, I am not obligated. I am pleased to do this. You certainly cannot go alone. That should be out of the question.�
It would be far -far- to risky for the alpha to go alone. The vampires might be immortal but they were not and, god forbid, they were not. There was no evidence that -they- would be honorable. Thérèse, in fact, had a great deal of evidence and experience to indicate the contrary.
Thérèse was fond of the little wolf and kept it on her desk, near by.
Tonight? Her eyebrows shot up. That she was not expecting. She rather wanted to get up and pace, to consider this, but that would not be appropriate. Truly, she did not -want- anything to do with them. One was more than enough. But by the same token, she needed to look this one in the eye. She needed to know he wasn't the one who was keeping her.
"Yes, yes I am free. I would like to come.�
Like was not the right word. She did not -like- anything about the mulo. But she still was pleased he asked. She shook her head.
"Non, I am not obligated. I am pleased to do this. You certainly cannot go alone. That should be out of the question.�
It would be far -far- to risky for the alpha to go alone. The vampires might be immortal but they were not and, god forbid, they were not. There was no evidence that -they- would be honorable. Thérèse, in fact, had a great deal of evidence and experience to indicate the contrary.
Vaughn Emiliano
13 years ago
Vaughn was glad that she did not change her mind. He wanted to offer her the chance to stay home if the prospect of meeting with vampires disconcerted her but he was happy that she reaffirmed her decision to accompany him.
Chuckling at her opinion that he should not go alone, he replied.
"The Legion are of a similar mind. There will be some of them there but they will stay in the open area of the bar."
It did not show a lot of faith in their potential allies if they could not sit in a room together without the need for a half dozen body guards. While Alfarinn might not take offense, Vaughn did not want to give any. This was his idea after all and he would suffer the consequences if it turned out to be a poor decision.
"I suppose then I should call him and let him know."
Chuckling at her opinion that he should not go alone, he replied.
"The Legion are of a similar mind. There will be some of them there but they will stay in the open area of the bar."
It did not show a lot of faith in their potential allies if they could not sit in a room together without the need for a half dozen body guards. While Alfarinn might not take offense, Vaughn did not want to give any. This was his idea after all and he would suffer the consequences if it turned out to be a poor decision.
"I suppose then I should call him and let him know."
Therese
13 years ago
Of course they were. She knew better. It was a fine line, you didn't let the Alpha go in unprotected, but you didn't over protect him either. Too much protection would make him appear weak or fearful and that wouldn't be appropriate either. She nodded her agreement and approval.
"It would be rude to simply appear without RSVPing.�
She agreed.
Rather flippantly she wondered what one wore to a meeting with a mulo at a club. She decided to worry about that after Vaughn confirmed the meeting.
Part of her was hoping the vampire would change his mind. Part of her was hoping the one who was keeping her would be there. Thérèse would find a way to call him out. And they certainly couldn't ally with anyone who would do this to their kind. For she didn't doubt for a second she wasn't the only one these vampires kept under their control.
A few other details were discussed and arrangements finalized. She wasn't looking forward to this, but she wasn't shrinking from it either.
((OOC... both out, with permission))
"It would be rude to simply appear without RSVPing.�
She agreed.
Rather flippantly she wondered what one wore to a meeting with a mulo at a club. She decided to worry about that after Vaughn confirmed the meeting.
Part of her was hoping the vampire would change his mind. Part of her was hoping the one who was keeping her would be there. Thérèse would find a way to call him out. And they certainly couldn't ally with anyone who would do this to their kind. For she didn't doubt for a second she wasn't the only one these vampires kept under their control.
A few other details were discussed and arrangements finalized. She wasn't looking forward to this, but she wasn't shrinking from it either.
((OOC... both out, with permission))